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Bruno

Bruno

On August 2nd 1915 while the Unit was out of the line in billets at Grande Munque Farm near Ploestreet in Belgium, LtCol William Marshall DSO ‘officially’ adopted a large scruffy local sheepdog of “unknown ancestory” as the 15th Battalion’s mascot. The Regimental History records “his friendship for the Colonel, his loyalty and long life and adventures with the Battalion are a story in themselves.” He apparently rarely left Marshall’s side except when the CO was in the line and then Pipe Major Keith became responsible for him. It was on one of those occasions when the CO was ‘in the line’ that LCol Marshall was killed and all ranks of the Battalion noted the effect it had on Bruno. But Bruno adopted the new CO, LtCol CE Bent, and the CO-to-mascot relationship was carried on. At the conclusion of the war, Bruno returned to Canada with Lt Col Bent and lived out his days on the Colonel’s farm in Paradise, Nova Scotia. When he finally passed away, Bruno was buried on the farm alongside Fritz, the German war horse captured by the 15th Battalion at The Crow’s Nest in Hendecourt on 1 Sept 1918. Fritz was also adopted by Lt Col Bent and he too returned to Canada and then to the farm where LtCol Bent’s 91 year old son says “his father would ride the horse through the orchards with Bruno running alongside.

15th Battalion Officers in rear area billets near PloegsteertMay 1915. The Officer front right is then Major CE BentHolding the recently adopted puppy Bruno.

Bruno (centre) poses with the Officers of the 15thBattalion in billets near Noeux-les-Mines Francejust prior to the battle of Hill 70 August 1917. Padre Canon Scott Is seated front row centre.